Karon Beach

Khao Rang Viewpoint is located in the south of Phuket, directly opposite Monkey Hill. You might encounter a few monkeys during your visit - but they won't do anything unless you deliberately provoke them or hold out food (tip: watch out for your sunglasses and water bottles too). The viewpoint is above all

The Naka Weekend Market is a huge covered market in Phuket Town and our number one tip if you're looking for vacation souvenirs for your loved ones! On over 12,000 m², you can find absolutely everything from clothes, bags, jewelry, care products and souvenirs to electronics - and of course lots of food! At the food stalls you will find a wide selection of dishes, snacks, fruit, delicious smoothies and freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. As the name suggests, the market only opens at weekends: every Saturday and Sunday between 4 and 10 pm. Entry and parking are free. There are toilets on site and a large street food area with plenty of seating.

Three Monkeys is an upscale jungle restaurant right next to Hanuman World, probably the most famous place for ziplining on Phuket. Compared to other places, the prices here are significantly higher, but it offers a unique ambience. The interior consists mainly of wood, rattan furniture, lots of green plants and cozy warm lights. The lovingly decorated rooms are all different and offer popular photo spots, which is why a visit is worthwhile both during the day and in the evening. The menu includes Thai & international dishes as well as delicious cocktails. Upscale prices for food & drinks, around 600 THB per person. Remember to book in advance - the places are very popular, especially in the evening!

The Kao Khad Views Tower is a viewpoint in the south-east of Phuket and is less frequented by tourists than the equally beautiful but sometimes overcrowded Promthep Cape. The tower is located in a quiet, mountainous area and offers you a fascinating panoramic view, including the glittering Chalong Bay with its many small ships and the Big Buddha on the distant horizon. Apart from the magnificent view, there is not much to see on site, but it is still worth a visit. Right next to the tower lives an old local couple, who run the toilets and are happy to receive a few coins whenever visitors come. There is plenty of free parking and admission is free.

There are several elephant sanctuaries on Phuket where you can observe these fascinating animals up close and see them in their natural environment. We have visited two of these camps on our travels, which we can really recommend to you: Bukit Elephant Park and Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. Both camps stand for animal welfare and take a stance against chains or riding. Unfortunately, even today you can still see many elephants in Thailand and throughout Asia that are kept on chains, have to carry heavy things and are abused by paying tourists for an "unforgettable" riding experience. We are clearly against such methods and can therefore highly recommend the protected areas mentioned. Here, the elephants are safe and have been bought free, sometimes for very high sums of money. They can move freely in the wild and only come out when they really feel like social interaction.

The Big Buddha of Phuket, also known as the "Big Buddha", is a huge white marble statue that you can see from afar from many places on Phuket. With a height of 45 meters and a diameter of 25 meters, the Big Buddha is the island's landmark and offers you a fantastic panoramic view of the south side of Phuket, the sea and the surrounding islands. We recommend arriving by scooter or on a guided day tour. Entry and parking are free. Make sure you wear long clothes and cover your shoulders. If necessary, you can buy a sarong on site for 150 THB (= 3.96 €).

Wat Chalong (actually: Wat Chaiyathararam) is a large temple complex and one of the most important religious sites on Phuket. The site consists of several ornate buildings, temples, ornate gates and lovingly landscaped gardens. A common ritual that can be seen and heard here is the lighting of firecrackers to fulfill wishes. These are often lit in a stone oven as soon as a wish has been fulfilled. The main building - a 60-metre-high shrine, also known as the "Chedi" - offers you a great view over the entire complex. On three floors, the walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings and numerous golden Buddha statues. Before entering the interior, you should remove your shoes and cover your legs and shoulders. If necessary, you can hire a sarong on site. Entry and parking are free of charge.

The pretty Kor Ra Kang Café & Restaurant is located in the middle of Phuket Old Town and is a dream for flower lovers and a popular Instagram spot! There are countless artificial flowers everywhere in the rooms, from the walls to the tables, creating a romantic atmosphere. So if you're out and about in the old town, you should definitely make a stop here. The menu includes Thai dishes, roti, pasta and coffee & cake. Compared to other places, it is a little more expensive here (approx. 400 THB p.p.), but absolutely worth a visit! Admission is free.

The Black Rock Viewpoint is a beautiful vantage point in the south of Phuket, which you reach after a short jungle hike. Important: Don't let anyone talk you into anything on the way there! Many Thais want to tell you that you have to book a tour, need a shuttle or something similar - we just went with the

A hidden bay in the south of Phuket that you should definitely visit: Nui Beach. The entrance fee is 300 THB per person and includes transportation to and from the beach. We recommend using the shuttles and not driving down on your own on a scooter, as the road is really steep, uneven and winding! There is plenty to discover in the bay, including a swing, lovingly decorated photo spots, a bar & a restaurant. Further up there is a small café and a souvenir store. At the two beach sections, you can make yourself comfortable with a towel or rent a sun lounger for 100 THB. Toilets and a shower are available on site.

Kata Noi Beach is a small sister bay to the south of Kata Beach of the same name and one of our favorite beaches on Phuket. This place is a real dream, especially in the low season: turquoise, shallow sea, fine sandy beach and shady palm trees. Impressive bungalows and pool villas have been built on the hillside, blending in perfectly with the beach scenery. Free parking, restaurants and water sports activities such as jet skiing and parasailing are available on site.

The Windmill Viewpoint is a breezy viewpoint in the south of Phuket and offers you a great view of the surrounding beaches of Yanui and Nai Harn Beach. Buy yourself a delicious fruit smoothie and simply enjoy the view with a fresh sea breeze. You can reach the viewpoint either by scooter or car. Even though the viewpoint doesn't have much to offer on site, we still think it should be on every Phuket bucket list. The landscape is truly unique and very different from the rest of the island! Nearby is Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket, which is also well worth a visit.